A woman planning a cross-country move to Port Townsend sparked a flood of advice this week — drawing more than 200 comments from locals eager to share what life is really like in the Victorian seaport town.
In a post to the “Port Townsend Community” Facebook group, Shannon Linn said she is currently living in Columbus, Ohio, but plans to relocate to Port Townsend at the end of the year.
“Is there anything I should know about the town before moving? Or any fun things to do?” she asked.
The responses came fast — and they didn’t hold back.
Some commenters immediately flagged the cost of living: “It’s expensive, over taxed and not a lot of affordable housing!” one person wrote. “Don’t forget to bring your trust fund,” another joked.
Others compared the Pacific Northwest climate to the Midwest: “You won’t have to shovel snow & deal with much sub-freezing temperatures,” Debbie White wrote. “Cost of living is higher, as is the entire West Coast.”
White added that while housing affordability is a concern, the area offers natural beauty and a strong sense of community. “It’s gorgeous here and a great community with lots of non-profits, caring people, and laid back / kinda hippie vibe which I love,” she wrote. “People are usually here because they want to live here.”
Rain, Remoteness — And Oysters
Weather was a common theme. “Never stops raining,” one commenter quipped.
Jan Pirwitz, who said she also moved from Ohio several years ago, offered practical advice. “Ferries are tricky, the closest mall area is a hour away, you think you won’t like oysters but you will and it hardly snows,” Pirwitz wrote.
Several residents emphasized that Port Townsend’s small-town feel can either be a dream — or a dealbreaker.
“If city fun is your thing you might really feel trapped in a small town,” Karen Roemers-Kleven wrote. She recommended visiting for at least two weeks before committing, hiring a realtor, and possibly making multiple trips to see if the town feels like a fit.
Roemers-Kleven said volunteering is one of the best ways to integrate into a tight-knit community. She shared advice she once received about becoming a true local: “Don’t be an a…hole.”
Others pushed back against the negativity. “Some of the postings put Port Townsend in a negative light,” Laurie Jones wrote. “This might be an effort of locals trying to keep people from moving here…. It’s a wonderful place to live.”
Festivals, Ferry Views — And That Smell
Residents also highlighted what makes the town special. Linda Mae Larkin pointed to local festivals, including Strange Brew, Wooden Boat, and Kinetic Skulpture, along with a popular farmers market.
She noted that a nearby pulp mill can produce an odor that bothers some visitors. “Personally, I love it here!” she wrote.
Stephen Fox encouraged Linn to enjoy Chezamoka Park overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the ferry route to Whidbey Island, along with local restaurants and the short drive to Port Angeles.
Carl Appellof offered a comparison to Ohio’s landscape. “Unlike Columbus, we have views of actual mountains here,” he wrote. “When it’s not raining.”
Debbie White summed it up as a small town “with a movie theater and a soul.”
And just when it seemed the thread had covered everything from housing costs to oysters, one final warning appeared. “The new roundabout by Penny Saver is cursed,” Dave Salisbury wrote. “Other than that, you should be ok.”
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